China police boss in dock over mob links

China police boss in dock over mob links

(AFP) – – A former top justice official in southwestern China went on trial Tuesday accused of mafia links, rape and accepting bribes in the latest lurid case stemming from a major crackdown on organised crime.

Wen Qiang, former director of the justice department in Chongqing, is the highest-ranking official to appear in the dock in a string of prosecutions over corruption and mafia crime in the vast city.

Wen, 54, who was also once a top police official in Chongqing, has been charged with accepting more than two million dollars in bribes, protecting mafia rings and four counts of rape, according to a court statement.

State press reports have alleged that Wen, 55, raped a string of women including B-list film and music starlets.

Such lurid details, along with widespread speculation the crackdown was linked to political manoeuvring at the apex of the ruling Communist Party, have gripped the nation since trials began late last year.

Charges have been brought against hundreds of people, including 87 government officials, since the crackdown was launched in June, the People’s Daily has said, with more than 3,300 people detained.

At least seven people have been reported executed or sentenced to death in the trials, which have shocked the public by exposing the impunity enjoyed by mafia kingpins as they terrorised Chongqing and lived debauched lifestyles.